Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 17th October 2022
1. Abiodun Oyebanji Sworn In As Ekiti Governor
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has handed over to Abiodun Oyebanji as Governor of the state.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Oyebanji has taken his oath of office as the new Ekiti State Governor.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, on Sunday swore in Oyebanji amidst applause from the crowd present.
He took over from Governor Kayode Fayemi, who doubled as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.
Oyebanji during the oath-taking process pledged to preserve, protect and defend as well as preserve the office as governor in the presence of mammoth Ekiti people.
The former secretary to the state government (SSG), who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the Ekiti governorship election with 187,057 votes, defeating his two closest challengers — Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who polled 82,211 votes, and Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 67,457 votes.
2. Peter Obi Vs Tinubu – Anambra APC Disowns Ngige Says Comment Was Personal
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Anambra chapter has berated the Minister of Labour, and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige for refusing to publicly endorse the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that the minister, during an interview on Channels Television had refused to make a choice when the host asked whom he preferred between Tinubu and Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.
He stated that it would be hard to choose between the duo as both presidential candidates were his friends.
Reacting to the minister’s stance in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja and personally signed by the Anambra state chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, the state chapter of the party dissociated themselves from the minister’s comment.
The chairman revealed that the party had started grassroots mobilization for the victory of Tinubu.
According to him, Anambra APC will work hard to give Tinubu a surprising result at the polls.
Ejidike insisted that whatever Ngige said during the interview was simply personal and did not represent the position of the party in Anambra state.
3. You Must Deliver To Me 95% Votes, Forget Atiku, Peter Obi – Tinubu Tells Ekiti Residents
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Sunday demanded 95 per cent votes from Ekiti State residents as he woo the residents ahead of the February 2023 elections.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the former Governor of Lagos State was in the state today as a guest of honour at the swearing-in ceremony of the State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji.
Delivering a speech at the occasion, Tinubu urged the residents to forget about his counterparts from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi and delivered their votes to him in the forthcoming election.
Tinubu assured the citizens of a better tomorrow, stating that if elected, his administration will take care of the people of the state including their children.
The APC chieftain charged the crowd gathered at the swearing-in to turn a blind eye to both Atiku and Obi as people they did not know.
4. PDP, APC Ruled Nigeria For 24 Years With Nothing To Show For It – Peter Obi’s Running Mate, Yusuf Datti
After 24 years of ruling Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the incumbent government of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has nothing to show for it, says Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Sen. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Datti made the assertion shortly after a town-hall meeting with party stakeholders and supporters in Minna, Niger State capital on Sunday (today).
The politician charged citizens of the state and Nigerians at large to not listen to the ‘deceit’ of the opposition parties who according to him, use religion and tribal sentiments to cause hatred amongst the electorates.
Datti noted that if the previous and incumbent government had done well, Nigeria will not be in this devastating state. He lamented the rising insecurity, corruption as well as other challenges that have bedevilled the country under the APC-leg administration.
5. Top APC Chieftain, Inuwa Dumps APC For PDP
A top chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, Mustapha Inuwa has dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Inuwa announced his defection at his campaign office in Katsina on Sunday after meeting with his supporters and groups.
The supporters after the meeting chanted songs of solidarity on his capacity and ability to shape the politics of the State.
The former Secretary to the Katsina State Government (SSG) contested for the governorship ticket of the APC in the state but lost to Dikko Umar Radda.
Inuwa during a press conference after the primaries had pledged his support for Radda.
Things, however, did not go as expected as supporters of the two camps began to trade accusations.
6. Northern President Comment: Atiku Stole PDP Ticket, He Is Now Naked Before Nigerians – APC Campaign Council
The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council on Sunday chided the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar over his recent comment about the 2023 presidency.
Truetells Nigeria recalls Atiku on Saturday during an interactive session with Arewa Joint Committee at the Arewa House in Kaduna State, said the North only needs someone from the region as the next President.
Speaking at the event, the PDP candidate said Northerners need to vote for him rather than a Yoruba or Igbo candidate because he’s a Pan-Nigerian with a northern extraction that has built bridges across the country.
The statement has attracted several ‘knocks’ and criticisms for the former Vice President and the APC campaign council in a statement by its director of media and publicity, Bayo Onanuga said the development has further exposed Atiku as someone who does not have the interest of Nigerians at heart.
The APC statement accused Atiku of attempting to whip up ethnic sentiments in order to get votes.
According to Onanuga, Atiku is now exposed and he is now fully naked before the Nigerian people.
7. Presidential Election ‘ll Be Tough, But Tinubu’ll Win – Fayemi
The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has declared that the 2023 presidential election will be tough.
Fayemi, however, said the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu would come out victorious in the forthcoming election.
According to the outgone Governor of Ekiti State, electorates would be asked to assess the candidates based on their records.
Fayemi stated this during an interview with Vanguard.
8. El-Rufai: Yes, He Made A Mistake – Tinubu’s Team Blows Hot, Defends His ‘Rotten Situation’ Comment
The campaign team of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the statement he made yesterday concerning Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state was simply a blunder.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that the APC flag bearer who was one of the guests at the Kaduna State Investment Summit had praised El-Rufai for his political achievements in the state.
Urging El-Rufai not to leave the country for his PhD at the end of his term as governor, Tinubu had mistakenly said that the Governor could turn a rotten situation into a bad one.
He said, “I am openly begging Governor El-Rufai not to run away for additional Degrees like PhD or others. There are educated derelicts. We are not going to let you run away. Your vision, creativity and resilience in turning a ‘rotten situation into a bad one’ are necessary at this critical time and that is why we are here.”
The statement subsequently generated a buzz on the internet.
Reacting to the development Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media & Publicity, Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, said his principal had simply committed a blunder and people were blowing it out of proportion because it is campaign season.
He argued that blunders are common to every human being, great leaders included, adding that such a situation is not unusual in life.
He went on to inform those who were in the habit of making a mountain out of a molehill to find more productive things to do with their time.
9. Atiku Is Desperate – APC Reacts To ‘Northerners Do Not Need Yoruba, Igbo Candidate’ Comment
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, as desperate over his comment earlier on what average northerners want in the 2023 general elections.
APC in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday through its National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka said the former Vice President would rather disunite the country rather than bring about unity as he has claimed in his many declarations.
Truetells Nigeria understands that Atiku had during the Arewa town hall policy dialogue in Kaduna on Saturday, declared that “What the average Northerner needs are somebody who is from the North; he doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Ibo candidate.”
Atiku said in a viral video of the event.
Reacting in a statement on Sunday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, said what Atiku said was a decisive attack on national unity.
The ruling party said Nigeria does not at the moment need someone like Atiku whose statement it considers a decisive attack on the nation’s national unity.
10. One Killed As APC, PDP Supporters Clash In Zamfara
A group of hoodlums suspected to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reportedly clashed in Zamfara State on Sunday.
One person according to reports obtained on Sunday, died during the chaotic event.
The State command of the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the incident today, noting that at least eighteen people sustained degrees of injuries from the clash.
The police spokesman in the state, Muhammad Shehu, said the command has since commenced an investigation into the killing. He, however, declined further comment on the incident.
